Photo courtesy of New Holland.New Holland presents driverless T8 tractor with Raven Autonomy
New Holland presented the T8 tractor with Raven Autonomy, the driverless grain cart harvest application, at SIMA 2022. It is the latest step in the development of its market-leading precision and autonomous technology. It integrates OmniDrive, the first driverless agriculture technology for grain cart harvest operations, which originated as an aftermarket solution developed by Raven in 2019. The innovative technology stack enables the farmer to monitor, synchronize and operate a driverless tractor from the cab of the harvester.
The state of regulations on autonomy today is diverse around the globe, and we cannot predict how regulations are going to evolve, so we are preparing for different scenarios – an approach that will allow us to be very agile as regulations allow market introduction.
The T8 with Raven Autonomy enables the farmer to monitor and operate the driverless T8 tractor from the cab of the combine harvester in grain cart applications. The system enables drivers to set a field plan, stage locations, adjust the tractor’s speed and monitor location activity. They can control the tractor pulling a grain cart alongside the combine harvester as it offloads on the go.
The T8 with Raven Autonomy is the latest step in New Holland’s continuous development of its precision-farming portfolio and investment in its digital transformation strategies. CNH Industrial’s acquisition of Raven in November 2021 – built on a long partnership – was part of this strategy, adding strong innovation capabilities in autonomous and precision agriculture technology.
Driverless technologies combined with the intelligence solution range we are currently offering improve efficiency across all cropping practices in countless applications with greater precision, productivity and flexibility, as well as higher dependability in meteorological situations.
Photo courtesy of New Holland.
New Holland launches a completely brand-new range of mini excavators
New Holland considerably extends its light construction equipment offering with the launch of a brand-new range of 15 mini excavator models manufactured in-house. The new range excels in terms of width, design, versatility, innovation, comfort and performance. The new machines have compact dimensions with a superior working range and are either zero tail-swing or short radius, which makes them ideal for work in confined spaces.
The new range is the first introduction resulting from the acquisition of Sampierana S.p.A., an Italian company specializing in the development and manufacturing of earthmoving machines that is known for its reliability, quality and innovative technology, especially in the line of mini and midi excavators and for special undercarriages.
The smallest machines in the range are the E12D zero tail-swing and the E14D short-radius models. Providing best-in-class hydraulic power and excellent stability, they feature a retractable undercarriage and an overall width of just 790 millimeters, which enables them to drive through 800-millimeter domestic doorways. Further features include a foldable roll bar for ease of movement in spaces with limited clearance. Auxiliary hydraulic hoses are routed inside the boom for protection and to ensure unimpeded vision. The machines’ compact dimensions do not compromise operator comfort: The seating position is wide and easily accessible, and visibility is excellent thanks to the rear-mounted roll bars.
Photo courtesy of John Deere.
John Deere packs more hay into every bale with the new L341R high-density large square baler
Deere is adding to its lineup of balers with the introduction of the new L341R high-density large square baler. The new baler creates 3X4 high-density bales. For straw bales, farmers can expect bale weight increases of up to 30% when using the new baler.
High-density balers are commonly used in crops having more elastic characteristics, such as straw. The L341R features increased plunger force, tension panel pressure and a bale chamber 18 inches longer than previous models to provide the extra pressure to the bales. Added pressure is applied to the crop as it is moved through the baler, packed and then formed into a bale.
For example, the L341R can form up to 1,200-pound, densely packed 3X4 straw bales. Previously, the same-sized bale weighed up to 925 pounds. Across a 160-acre field, with straw yielding 2 tons per acre, a farmer could get by with four fewer trailers to transport the bales. In this scenario, hauling bales 200 miles at $4.80 per mile can save $3,840, or $960 per trailer load.
John Deere is also making new Bale Documentation technology available on its large square balers to support greater agronomic and resource management. Using Bale Doc, farmers can track bale weight and moisture and flow that data into the John Deere Operations Center for analysis and permanent recordkeeping.
For more information about the L341R high-density large square baler, visit their website, or your local John Deere dealer.
Photo courtesy of IronCraft LLC.
IronCraft LLC introduces FRF and BRF series offset flail mowers
IronCraft LLC, formerly branded Titan Implement, introduces the FRF and BRF series offset flail mowers. The FRF is available in working widths of 49 inches to 64 inches, while the BRF is available in working widths of 63 inches to 79 inches. These offset flail mowers can easily mow in ditches, around ponds, along roadsides, fencerows and other hard-to-reach areas. The FRF series is designed for tractors ranging in horsepower from 20-50 and include 20 hammers mounted on a 4.25-inch rotor (108 millimeters). This unit has a 540-rpm input speed and is designed for a category 1 hitch.
With an adjustable in-height rear roller and hydraulic side shift and tilting, it will easily cut grass and shred small branches and vine shoots in vineyards, hazelnut groves, orchards and in vicinity of hedges and ditches. The robust BRF is designed for tractors from 70-100 HP and includes 28-32 fixed flails and 14-16 fixed hammers mounted to a 6-inch diameter shaft (160 millimeter).
Designed for a category 1 or category 2 three-point hitch, the BRF includes a floating system for the hitch along with a safety lock. Due to their size-weight ratio, IronCraft offset flail mowers pair well with smaller tractors, generating more utility from compact equipment. IronCraft’s new FRF and BRF series ditch bank flail mowers are ideal for mowing ditch banks, around ponds, in vineyards and orchards, or any areas where the mower needs to be offset from the tractor.
These new offset mowers are stocked in IronCraft’s Athens, Tennessee, factory and are available through their nationwide dealer network. Each mower is warranted for a full year.
Deere debuts ExactShot planting technology, reduces starter fertilizer use up to 60%
During John Deere's CES 2023 keynote address, the company revealed two new technologies, ExactShot and an electric excavator, that will help Deere's customers be more productive, profitable and sustainable.
ExactShot allows farmers to reduce the amount of starter fertilizer needed during planting by more than 60%. The technology uses sensors and robotics to place starter fertilizer precisely onto seeds as they are planted in the soil, rather than applying a continuous flow of fertilizer to the entire row of seeds.
ExactShot will help farmers be economically and environmentally sustainable as they work tirelessly to grow the food, fuel and fiber we all rely on. With the global population expected to grow from 8 billion to nearly 10 billion by 2050, farmers need to increase production by 60% to 70% on today's arable land.
Across the U.S. corn crop, ExactShot could save over 93 million gallons of starter fertilizer annually and prevent wasted fertilizer from encouraging weed growth or increasing the risk of running off the field into a waterway.
Highland Specialty Grains releases improved forage barley variety
Highland Specialty Grains of Moses Lake, Washington, announces the release and availability of Vaquero forage barley. Vaquero is a hooded, spring-planted barley developed specifically to produce forage for livestock.
Like all forage barley, Vaquero is a nutritious, palatable and economical forage that can be grown alone or in blends with other species. It is generally harvested as hay or silage.
Vaquero may eventually replace the variety Stockford in Highland’s portfolio. Vaquero yields more forage, stands better and is taller than Stockford. Vaquero also produces well when compared to other forage barley varieties. Highland Specialty Grains Inc. is the premier breeder of proprietary barley varieties in the western U.S. For more information, see the Highland Specialty Grains website.
